A delegation from the City of Brantford will be attending the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa from August 18 through August 21, 2024.
Brantford will be sending Mayor Kevin Davis, Councillor Rose Sicoli, Councillor Mandy Samwell, Councillor Linda Hunt, CAO Brian Hutchings and Sasha Hill Smith, Manager of Government Relations and Corporate Initiatives.
More than 2,500 participants from hundreds of municipalities and organizations across Ontario will be at the conference, which serves as a critical platform for municipal and provincial officials to address pressing challenges that extend beyond municipal resources and responsibilities.
The 2024 AMO Conference brings municipal and provincial officials together at a time when Ontario communities face complex challenges that exceed municipal resources and responsibilities. AMO is seeking a joint Social and Economic Prosperity Review with the Ontario Government to take a prudent look at how public services and infrastructure investments are funded.
“Current funding relationships are undermining the prosperity of our communities. Housing, public safety, infrastructure, and healthcare are at risk if we don’t take action,” said AMO President Colin Best, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. “The goal is to make life more affordable for everyone; municipalities, the Government of Ontario, and the taxpayers we all serve.”
Ministry of Education
The Brantford delegation will stress the need to restore provincial funding for the administration of Child Care and Early Learning programs to 2019 funding levels. As the Service System Manager for Brantford and the County of Brant, the City coordinates the Child Care Fee Subsidy program, supports special needs resources, and maintains service contracts. Since the 2019 provincial funding cut from 10 per cent to 5 per cent and the shift to a 50/50 cost-share with municipalities, Brantford’s annual costs have increased significantly, putting more pressure on the municipal budget to fund core services previously supported by the province.
Ministry of Transportation
Discussions with the Ministry of Transportation will focus on the development of Highway 24, as well as Oak Park Road and southwest access regional planning. These infrastructure projects are critical for improving transportation efficiency, reducing congestion, and enhancing road safety in the Brantford area.
Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
The City of Brantford seeks to foster a collaborative relationship with Indigenous communities through meaningful consultation and shared prosperity initiatives. These discussions are crucial for ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and that their needs and priorities are considered in local development projects.
Ministry of Health
One of the top priorities for the community is the construction of a much-needed new hospital. This project is vital for improving access to healthcare services and addressing the increasing healthcare needs of our growing community. By securing support and funding from the Ministry of Health, the City’s goal is to do everything in our power to help ensure that our residents have access to the best possible healthcare services.
Ministry of Infrastructure
The Brantford delegation will request provincial funding for a nitrate digester to address rising nitrate levels in the Grand River, the city’s sole drinking water source. With Brantford’s growing population of over 100,000 and increasing nitrates from agriculture, wastewater, and stormwater, the current levels are nearing the drinking water limit of 10 mg/l and are expected to worsen due to climate change. While the City invested $60 million in the water treatment plant in 2012 to mitigate high ammonia levels, new technological upgrades are now required to protect the drinking water supply from high ammonia levels in the future.
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
In partnership with the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) of which Mayor Kevin Davis is a member, the Brantford delegation will address the pressing challenges of mental health and addictions in the community. This meeting is crucial for developing strategies and securing resources to support individuals and families affected by mental health issues and substance abuse.
Key session topics of the conference will include housing and homelessness, how to fund infrastructure, the opioid epidemic, public safety, climate change, Indigenous engagement, access to health care services, and use of artificial intelligence.
More information and conference updates are available at https://www.amo.on.ca.
